Thousands not taking up free flu jab in Black Country and Staffordshire
Thousands of people in the Black Country and Staffordshire who are eligible for free flu vaccines did not take them up, new figures show.
It comes as health bosses across the region are urging people to protect themselves and their families from flu – amid warnings that new cases may peak over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Winter flu can be serious, and even cause death, among the vulnerable of the community including elderly, young, pregnant women and people with health conditions.
Figures from NHS England data show that 90,491 people were eligible for free vaccines in Wolverhampton last winter – but only 56 per cent of them had them done, leaving 39,397 people unprotected.
In Walsall there were 43,582 out of 102,202 who did not have their flu jabs – while in Dudley 46,268 people were left vulnerable to winter flu out of 120,156 people eligible for the vaccine.
In the Sandwell area, 112,416 people were eligible, but only 54 per cent had them done – meaning 52,112 did not take up the free vaccine.
And across Staffordshire 118,227 vulnerable people were left unprotected from the virus in the area out of 307,935 were eligible for the vaccine.
Dr Ian Sykes, chairman of Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Flu is a highly contagious illness that spreads rapidly. It can cause serious complications for at risk groups, such as the elderly, expectant mothers and people with long term health conditions.
“We know that germs can be very easily picked up and spread amongst friends and family members.
"The flu vaccination helps protect local people in particular those identified in the at risk categories.
“My advice for anyone eligible for the free flu vaccination is to get it now before it is too late. It is the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus, that's why it's free for people who need it.”
Public Health England has introduced its Catch It, Bin It, Kill It campaign, to help prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease during Christmas and New Year celebrations. It says hundreds of thousands could see their holiday plans turned to misery if flu levels rise as expected in late December and early January.
Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS's medical director, said: "Whether it’s missing out on your Christmas dinner, the Boxing Day match or a New Year’s party, nobody wants to be laid low by flu while the festivities are in full swing.
“It’s good to see that more people over the age of 65 have already got their jab. For older people and those with underlying health conditions, getting flu is particularly bad news because it can lead to really serious conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis, which can mean a lengthy stay in hospital.
“And we know that children are ‘super spreaders’ of flu, particularly around the holiday season when they’re more likely to see elderly relatives.
“So our message is simple: the flu season is here, get your jab now. It might be the difference between a Christmas to remember, and one to forget.”
